Technology Ideas to Enhance Classrooms and Makerspaces

not that a classroom can't also be a makerspace, in fact some argue that every classroom should be

Here are are a few cool things you can try with students of almost any age. Some off these are expensive, some are free. Try things and share your experiences.

Hour of Code

A basic introduction to coding and computational thinking concepts.

A good starting point before moving on to other projects.

• hourofcode.com/ca

Scratch Programming

A graphical (drag and drop) programming environment for creating games, animations, interactive stories, and presentations.

• Can be used by any students that can read (probably best in grade 3 and up).
• Works great on Chromebooks or any other machines.
• There is also ScratchJr on tablets for younger students.

• scratch.mit.edu
• Annual EIPS Scratch Day

e.g. “Math with Scratch Demo” by MisterHay

Makey Makey

A small circuit board for interfacing real-world things with a computer/Chromebook.

• Use wires to connect anything conductive, the computer sees it as a keyboard and mouse.
• Works great with Scratch

e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU

mBot Robot

mBot is an easy-to-use and inexpensive ($100 or so) programmable robot.

Features:

• Wireless connection to the computer
• Two motors
• Two RGB LEDs that can be programmed to display almost any color
• Speaker (for playing tones/notes)
• Infrared transmitter and receiver for communicating with other mBots, TVs, etc.
• Ultrasonic distance sensor
• Line follower sensor (can tell whether it is on a dark line or not)

It can be programmed with mBlock, which is based on Scratch, or via Arduino code.

e.g. line follower by JohannHöchtl

LEGO Mindstorms

Build with LEGO, program with a graphical environment.

e.g. NXT-G programming by Steve Jurvetson

On a related note, check out LEGO Digital Designer (for Windows or Mac) and Build with Chrome (for Chrome).

Raspberry Pi computer

A small, inexpensive (less than $50) single-board desktop computer.

• Just requires a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cables.
• KanoOS is kid-friendly and has a number of great coding activities built in.
• Many interesting projects have been built with them.

Virtual Circuits

123d.circuits.io allows students to create virtual circuits. Works on Chromebooks or other computers.

• Circuit Scribe
• Breadboard
• Arduino

Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Headset

Very inexpensive, about $5 each.

Requires a relatively recent Android phone or iPhone (4S or newer).

Experience VR games and simulations

• e.g. Jaunt VR (Android, iOS), DiveCityCoaster (Android, iOS)

Watch 3D and/or 360° videos.

• e.g. YouTube 360° channel

Students may even be able to record VR photos and videos using mobile apps.

Stop Motion Animation

On a Chromebook or any computer with a webcam: Chrome Stop Motion Animator app

iPhone, iPod, iPad: LEGO Movie Maker app, Imotion How too use Imotion

Many Android stop motion apps available as well.

Video and Audio Production

e.g. video projects, podcasts, radio dramas

Chromebooks:

• YouTube Video Editor or Magisto
• SoundCloud or Twisted Wave

Mobile Devices:

• Adobe Creative Cloud mobile apps
• And many others

Quadcopter Drones

EIPS owns (and insures) two Phantom 3 video drones for schools can borrow.

Students can also fly smaller indoor drones such as a Syma X2.

For examples of videos with drones, see http://haytech.blogspot.ca/2016/04/drone-videography-examples.html

Have fun.